Mobile terminal comprising lid unit with key device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a mobile terminal comprising a lid unit arranged to substantially block an opening in a mobile terminal housing in an assembled state of the mobile terminal and arranged to allow access through the opening into the interior of the mobile terminal when removed from the opening, wherein the mobile terminal lid unit comprises at least one key device for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/728,080, filed Dec. 27, 2012, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2011/081002, filed Oct. 20, 2011. Both of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal comprising a lid unit arranged to substantially block an opening in a mobile terminal housing in an assembled state of the mobile terminal and arranged to allow access through the opening into the interior of the mobile terminal when removed from the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile terminals, e.g. mobile telephones, mobile user equipment, personal digital assistants, mobile computers, tablet computers, notebook computers, laptop computers, etc., usually comprise at least one component part such as a battery, a SIM-card, a memory card, etc. which needs to be protected from the environment outside the mobile terminal during use as the environment may contain e.g. particles or moisture and which component part at the same time needs to be easily accessible from the outside of the mobile terminal for e.g. replacement purposes.

In order to at the same time both protect and grant easy access to a component part such as a memory card inside a mobile terminal, a removable lid covering the access opening in a mobile terminal housing for the component part to be both protected and accessed may be arranged on the mobile terminal. If the mobile terminal is to be used in a very dusty and/or very moist environment, a dust proof and/or moisture proof seal may be arranged between the mobile terminal housing and the lid in order to further protect the interior of the mobile terminal housing during use by preventing dust and/or moisture from entering the interior of the mobile terminal housing through the access opening. Such a seal may be arranged by arranging a lid of rubber material which lid is arranged in the assembled state of the mobile terminal to both cover the access opening and in a sealing manner abut against the exterior mobile terminal housing surface along the edge of the access opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal with improved water protection of the mobile terminal housing, i.e. protection against moisture entering the interior of the mobile terminal from the outside of the mobile terminal housing.

The object is achieved by arranging a mobile terminal comprising a lid unit arranged to substantially block an opening in a mobile terminal housing in an assembled state of the mobile terminal and arranged to allow access through the opening into the interior of the mobile terminal when removed from the opening, which mobile terminal lid unit further comprises at least one key device for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal.

By arranging at least one key device in a mobile terminal lid unit, where the key device is arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal, it is possible to decrease the number of openings in the mobile terminal housing for key devices arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal, this as the functionality of a latter type of key device arranged in an own from a lid opening separate opening may be replaced by the functionality of a former type of key device arranged in the same opening as said lid unit. By decreasing the number of openings in the mobile terminal housing, fewer openings in the mobile terminal housing have to be sealed in order to prevent moisture from entering the interior of the mobile terminal, whereby the water protection of the mobile terminal housing is improved.

Another advantage of improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing according to the present invention is that by decreasing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing, the freedom of designing the mobile terminal housing increases as fewer parts of the mobile terminal have influence on the outlines of external surface of the mobile terminal, thus decreasing the design restrictions that the openings in the mobile terminal housing have on the freedom to design the mobile terminal housing.

A further advantage of improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing according to the present invention is that by decreasing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing, the cost for sealing off the interior of the mobile terminal from the outside environment may be decreased.

Yet another advantage of improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing according to the present invention is that by decreasing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing, the impact of the openings on the strength of the mobile terminal housing may be decreased.

This present invention also achieves the possibility to decrease the cost of sealing the opening or openings in a mobile terminal housing.

It is according to the present invention possible to altogether eliminate all key devices arranged in own from a lid opening separate openings, whereby it is possible to achieve improved water protection of the mobile terminal housing and at the same time to achieve a very minimalistic design of the outlines of the external surface of the mobile terminal as the mobile terminal housing in this case comprises one opening only to be sealed in order to prevent moisture from entering the interior of the mobile terminal, which opening may be arranged at a preferred location on the mobile terminal housing. It would e.g. be possible to arrange said opening with such dimensions that all parts of the mobile terminal that need to be accessible from the outside such as e.g. a replaceable battery and/or a replaceable SIM-card and/or a replaceable memory card etc. could be accessible through one and the same opening in a mobile terminal housing. A one and the same lid unit could be arranged to allow access through the opening into the interior of the mobile terminal when removed from the opening, which opening could be substantially blocked by said lid unit in the assembled state of the mobile terminal. Said mobile terminal lid unit could comprise only one single key device for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal, e.g. to control the function of powering up the mobile terminal, where the powering down could be controlled e.g. by using a virtual key on at least a part of a capacitive touch panel used as an image output device on the mobile terminal. If the said single key device is of a type that does not need to extend all the way through the lid unit and thus may be arranged in a watertight manner on the said single lid unit, and if possible other devices such as e.g. microphones and/or speakers etc. also are arranged in a watertight manner on the mobile terminal, e.g. on the housing and/or the lid unit, only one opening on the whole mobile terminal housing in which a part of the mobile terminal is movably arranged needs to be sealed, thus significantly improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing.

The sealing between the mobile terminal housing and the lid unit which is arranged to substantially block an opening in a mobile terminal housing in an assembled state of the mobile terminal may be implemented by sealing means integrated in the mobile terminal housing and/or sealing means integrated in the lid unit and/or separate sealing means.

The mobile terminal lid unit is thus arranged to enable access to at least one component part arranged inside the mobile terminal housing together with protecting the component part or parts from the environment outside the mobile terminal housing and controlling at least one function of the mobile terminal.

Functions controlled by keys on mobile terminals may e.g. be speaker volume and/or microphone volume and/or power on and/or power off for the mobile terminal, camera functions, etc.

In addition to preventing moisture such as water and/or other fluids from entering the interior of the mobile terminal in assembled state of the mobile terminal, the lid unit may also prevent dust particles and/or other solids and/or gases from entering the interior of the mobile terminal.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the key device is a physical key.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the key device is a virtual key.

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings are intended to clarify and explain different embodiments of the present invention in which:

FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal in assembled state;

FIG. 2 shows a mechanical solution according an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of the lid unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the lid unit in exploded view; and

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the lid unit in exploded view, and

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the lid unit in exploded view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal 2 in assembled state, where the mobile terminal 2 comprises a lid unit 4 arranged to substantially block an opening 6 in a mobile terminal housing 8 in an assembled state of the mobile terminal 2 and arranged to allow access through the opening 6 into the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 when removed from the opening 6, wherein the mobile terminal lid unit 4 comprises at least one key device 12 for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal 2.

As can be seen in the figure, the lid unit 4 may be inserted at least in part into the opening 6 in the assembled state of the mobile terminal 2.

The lid unit 4 may e.g. be detachably arranged on the mobile terminal 2, or be pivotally attached to the mobile terminal 2 e.g. using a hinge, or be slidably attached to the mobile terminal 2 e.g. in a sliding tray fashion.

By arranging a mobile terminal 2 comprising a lid unit 4 as mentioned above, the object of providing a mobile terminal 2 with improved water protection of the mobile terminal housing 8, i.e. protection against moisture entering the interior of the mobile terminal 2 from the outside of the mobile terminal housing 8, is achieved.

By arranging at least one key device 12 in a mobile terminal lid unit 4, where the key device 12 is arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal 2, it is possible to decrease the number of openings in the mobile terminal housing 8 for key devices arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal, this as the functionality of a latter type of key device arranged in an own from a lid opening separate opening may be replaced by the functionality of a former type of key device arranged in the same opening 6 as said lid unit 4.

By decreasing the number of openings in the mobile terminal housing 8, fewer openings in the mobile terminal housing 8 have to be sealed in order to prevent moisture from entering the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2, whereby the water protection of the mobile terminal housing 8 is improved.

Another advantage of improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing 8 according to the present invention is that by decreasing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing 8, the freedom of designing the mobile terminal housing 8 increases as fewer parts 4 of the mobile terminal 2 have influence on the outlines of external surface 14 of the mobile terminal 2, thus decreasing the design restrictions that the openings in the mobile terminal housing 8 have on the freedom to design the mobile terminal housing 8.

A further advantage of improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing 8 according to the present invention is that by decreasing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing 8, the cost for sealing off the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 from the outside environment 16 may be decreased.

Yet another advantage of improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing 8 according to the present invention is that by decreasing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing 8, the impact of the openings on the strength of the mobile terminal housing 8 may be decreased.

This present invention also achieves the possibility to decrease the cost of sealing the opening 6 or openings in a mobile terminal housing 8.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, two key devices 12, 18 are shown on the lid unit 4.

It is according to the present invention possible to altogether eliminate all key devices arranged in own from a lid opening 6 separate openings, whereby it is possible to achieve improved water protection of the mobile terminal housing 8 and at the same time to achieve a very minimalistic design of the outlines of the external surface 14 of the mobile terminal 2 as the mobile terminal housing 8 in this case comprises one opening 6 only to be sealed in order to prevent moisture from entering the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2, which opening 6 may be arranged at a preferred location on the mobile terminal housing 8. It would e.g. be possible to arrange said opening 6 with such dimensions that all parts of the mobile terminal 2 that need to be accessible from the outside 16 such as e.g. a replaceable battery and/or a replaceable SIM-card and/or a replaceable memory card etc. could be accessible through one and the same opening 6 in a mobile terminal housing 8. A one and the same lid unit 4 could be arranged to allow access through the opening 6 into the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 when removed from the opening 6, which opening 6 could be substantially blocked by said lid unit 4 in the assembled state of the mobile terminal 2. Said mobile terminal lid unit 4 could comprise only one single key device 12 for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal 2, e.g. to control the function of powering up the mobile terminal, where the powering down could be controlled e.g. by using a virtual key 20 on at least a part of a capacitive touch panel 22 used as an image output device on the mobile terminal 2. If the said single key device 12 is of a type that does not need to extend all the way through the lid unit 4 and thus may be arranged in a watertight manner on the said single lid unit 4, and if possible other devices such as e.g. microphones and/or speakers etc. also are arranged in a watertight manner on the mobile terminal 2, e.g. on the housing and/or the lid unit, only one opening 6 on the whole mobile terminal housing 8 in which a part 4 of the mobile terminal 2 is movably arranged needs to be sealed, thus significantly improving the water protection of the mobile terminal housing 8.

The sealing between the mobile terminal housing 8 and the lid unit 4 which is arranged to substantially block an opening 6 in a mobile terminal housing 8 in an assembled state of the mobile terminal 2 may be implemented by sealing means 23, which sealing means may be integrated in the mobile terminal housing and/or in the lid unit and/or be separate sealing means.

The mobile terminal lid unit 4 is thus arranged to enable access to at least one component part arranged inside the mobile terminal housing 8 together with protecting the component part or parts from the environment 16 outside the mobile terminal housing 8 and controlling at least one function of the mobile terminal 2.

Functions controlled by keys on mobile terminals may e.g. be speaker volume and/or microphone volume and/or power on and/or power off for the mobile terminal, camera functions, etc.

In addition to preventing moisture such as water and/or other fluids from entering the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 in assembled state of the mobile terminal 2, the lid unit 4 may also prevent dust particles and/or other solids and/or gases from entering the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2.

FIG. 2 shows a mechanical solution according to an embodiment of the invention, where the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 is exposed, according to which embodiment the key device 12, 18 comprises a physical key 24, 26. According to this embodiment, a detection switch 28, 30 is arranged to detect the movement of a key 24, 26. According to this embodiment, the lid unit 4 comprises a lid 32 where further at least a part of said physical key 24, 26 is movably arranged in relation to the lid 32.

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of the lid unit 4 shown in FIG. 2 from another angle. As can be seen in the figure, the lid unit 4 comprises a lid 32 and at least one physical key 24, 26 movably arranged in relation to the lid 32. A stop member 34 may be arranged to prevent the keys 24, 26 from separating from the lid 32.

The lid 32 and the at least one key 24, 26 is assembled together into one part where the at least one key is able to move in relation to the lid 32. A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) may be added to this unit with solder switches that may be connected to corresponding part in the mobile terminal interior in the assembled state of the mobile terminal. Optionally, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) may be arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal. It is possible to use different types of detection switches. The keys 24, 26 may be of different types, e.g. a hardtop with a keytop part in silicon rubber or other soft material glued together, or hardtop with backside and single keys mounted between, or unit glued or ultrasound welded together into one unit.

As mentioned above, the movement of said at least one physical key 24, 26 is arranged to influence a detection switch, where the detection switch may be arranged in the lid unit 4 and may be arranged on a PCB or a FPC arranged in the lid unit 4. Optionally, the detection switch may be arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal and may be arranged on a PCB or a FPC arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the lid unit 4 in exploded view according to which embodiment the key device 12, 18 comprises a physical key 24, 26 wherein the movement of at least one physical key 24, 26 is arranged to influence a resistive touch sensor 34.

The resistive touch sensor 34 has two layers that are not in contact with each other in rest position, where the outer layer is a flexible layer coated on the inside with a conductor, e.g. Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and the inner layer is a supporting layer of e.g. glass coated on its outside face with a conductor, e.g. ITO. Non conductive separator “dots” of e.g. mica or silica are arranged between the outer and the inner layer. When the outer flexible layer is pressed against the inner layer, the resulting voltages can be measured in more than one direction, and by comparing these voltages to the starting voltage, the point where the outer layer was pressed can be calculated.

The resistive touch sensor 34 may be a resistive touch panel, and may further be arranged in the lid unit 4. The resistive touch sensor 34 may be connected to a PCB or a FPC arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal.

Comparing to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the detection switches shown in FIG. 3 are replaced by the resistive touch sensor 34. The feeling of a keystroke may be integrated into this embodiment by adding a dome to the resistive touch sensor.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the lid unit 4 in exploded view according to which embodiment the key device 12, 18 comprises a physical key 24, 26 wherein the at least one physical key 24, 26 is arranged with a capacitance 36, 38 and where the movement of said physical key 24, 26 is arranged to influence a capacitive touch sensor 40.

A capacitive touch sensor 40 comprises a support part of e.g. a glass sheet with a conductive coating on one side. A circuit pattern around the support part sets a charge across the support part surface which charge is disturbed by e.g. a finger or another means creating an electrical disturbance of the charge when touching or nearly touching the screen.

The capacitive touch sensor 40 may be a capacitive touch panel, and may further be arranged in the lid unit 4.

The capacitive touch sensor 40 may be arranged at the side of the lid unit 4 facing towards the interior of the mobile terminal, or at the side of the lid unit 4 facing towards the exterior of the mobile terminal or be arranged there between. The capacitive touch sensor 40 may be connected to a PCB or a FPC arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal, and may further be connected to the main electrical board of the mobile terminal.

Comparing to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the detection switches shown in FIG. 3 are replaced by the capacitive touch sensor 40. The feeling of a keystroke may be integrated into this embodiment by adding a dome to the capacitive touch sensor.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the lid unit 4 in exploded view wherein said key device 12 comprises a virtual key 42. The virtual key 42 may be arranged on at least a part of a capacitive touch sensor 44, wherein further the capacitive touch sensor 44 may be a capacitive touch panel.

The capacitive touch sensor 44 may be arranged in the lid unit 4, and may further be arranged at the side of the lid unit 4 facing towards the interior of the mobile terminal or at the side of the lid unit 4 facing towards the exterior of the mobile terminal.

The capacitive touch sensor 44 may be connected to a PCB or a FPC arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal, and may further be connected to the main electrical board of the mobile terminal.

As no mechanical movement in the lid unit 4 is needed to active the capacitive touch sensor when using e.g. a finger to activate the capacitive touch sensor 44, this solution does not need any moving parts in the lid unit 4. The capacitive touch sensor 44 may be mounted on any side of the lid and also molded into the lid unit 4, i.e. overmolded by plastic material.

Also other types of mechanical and/or virtual keys are possible. The virtual key may e.g. also comprise an infrared sensor, wherein the infrared sensor may be an infrared touch sensor.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also relates to and incorporates all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a lid unit, arranged to substantially block an opening in a mobile terminal housing in an assembled state of the mobile terminal, and arranged to allow access through the opening into an interior of the mobile terminal when removed from the opening, wherein the lid unit comprises at least one key device controlling at least one function of the mobile terminal.
 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the lid unit is inserted at least in part into the opening in the assembled state of the mobile terminal.
 3. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the lid unit comprises two key devices controlling the at least one function of the mobile terminal.
 4. Mobile terminal according to claim 3, wherein each of the two key devices comprises a physical key; and wherein two detection switches in the opening are arranged to detect the movement of the two physical key respectively.
 5. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein through the opening in the mobile terminal housing, a replaceable SIM-card and/or a replaceable memory card of the mobile terminal are accessible between the two detection switches from outside.
 6. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein the lid unit comprises a lid, wherein the physical key is movably relative to the lid.
 7. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein each of the detection switches is arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal.
 8. The mobile terminal according to claim 7, wherein each of the detection switches is arranged on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) either of which is arranged in the interior of the mobile terminal.
 9. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein movement of each of the physical keys is arranged to control a resistive touch sensor.
 10. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein each of the physical keys is arranged with a capacitance and where movement of each of the physical keys is arranged to control a capacitive touch sensor.
 11. The mobile terminal according to claim 10, wherein the capacitive touch sensor is arranged in the lid unit.
 12. The mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein the capacitive touch sensor is arranged at a side of the lid unit facing towards the interior of the mobile terminal.
 13. The mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein the capacitive touch sensor is arranged at a side of the lid unit facing towards the exterior of the mobile terminal.
 14. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the lid unit is detachably arranged on the mobile terminal.
 15. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the lid unit is pivotally or slidably attached to the mobile terminal. 